2005 VOLVO XC90 synthetic

2005 VOLVO XC90
l Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brak\
e system.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer o\
ver long distances or in
mountainous areas.
WARNING!
- Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should\
safety chains be attached to
the bumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
- Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehic\
le brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
- When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly fas\
tened to the hole or hook
provided in the trailer hitch on the vehicle. The safety wire should nev\
er be fastened to or wound
around the drawbar ball.
NOTE!
- When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking b\
rake before putting the gear
selector in (P)ark. When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in \
(D)rive before releasing the parking
brake.
- If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a tr\
ailer, make sure the gear you select
does not put too much strain on the engine (using too high a gear).
pg. 107 Starting and driving
Leveling
If your vehicle is equipped with automatic levelling, the rear suspensio\
n always retains the correct ride
height regardless of the load.
l The system adjusts the rear suspension to the correct level after the ve\
hicle has been driven a short
distance.
l When the vehicle is stationary, the rear suspension lowers, which is nor\
mal.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2005/2005_XC90/05xc90_06b.htm (13 of 18)12/30/20\
06 4:42:35 PM

2005 VOLVO XC90
WARNING!
Loads carried on the vehicle's roof should not exceed 220 lbs (100 kg)\
, including the weight of the
load carriers and any other load carrying equipment (ski boxes, bicycle\
racks, etc.). Excessive loads
on the roof can adversely affect the handling and roadholding characteri\
stics of the vehicle.
Load carrier cover
The vehicle's ignition key or the stud on the edge of the supplied torqu\
e wrench can be used to undo or
tighten the cover. Turn a quarter turn (90 degrees). See illustration.\

pg. 109 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, t\
he following advice is worth
noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any ot\
her mixture will reduce
freeze protection. This gives protection against freezing down to -31°\
F (-35°C). See section "Coolant".
The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by Volvo. Different typ\
es of antifreeze must not
be mixed.
l Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's r\
adiator. Your Volvo
retailer stocks plenty of Volvo engine coolant to help protect your vehi\
cle during cold weather.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of condensation in the tank. \
In
addition, in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add f\
uel line de-icer before refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine\
is warming up. For winter use,
5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type*, is recommended. Be sure to \
use good quality oil but do not
use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See section "E\
ngine oil" for more information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc\
.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2005/2005_XC90/05xc90_06b.htm (16 of 18)12/30/20\
06 4:42:35 PM

2005 VOLVO XC90
are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as \
the temperature drops. In very
cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be damaged. It is \
therefore advisable to check the
state of charge more frequently and spray an antirust oil on the battery\
posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels
and tires."
l To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see
page 140 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir).
This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during \
winter driving, requiring the
frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be d\
iluted as follows:
Down to 14° F (-10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water \
Down to 5° F (-15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3 parts water
Down to 0° F (-18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water
Down to -18° F (-28° C): 1 part washer solvent and 1 part water \
l Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
W Winter/Wet driving mode-enhanced vehicle traction
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode.
l An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and thi\
s will also be displayed in the
instrument panel (see
page 26).
l This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
* Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal mainte\
nance intervals except at owner request and at additional
charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.

pg. 110 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked at a Volvo retailer\
before driving long distances.
Your retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark p\
lugs and wiper blades for your use
in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip\
:
l Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
l Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
l Check transmission oil level*.
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of the battery's charge.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2005/2005_XC90/05xc90_06b.htm (17 of 18)12/30/20\
06 4:42:35 PM

2005 VOLVO XC90
6. Dipstick - engine oil
7. Filler cap - engine oil
8. Washer fluid reservoir
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10. Expansion tank - coolant
11. Data plate
12. Battery (under floor in rear cargo area)
WARNING!
The cooling fan (4) may start or continue to operate (for up to 6 min\
utes) after the engine has been
switched off.
pg. 141 Maintenance
Oil and fluids
Oil quality
Engine oil must meet the minimum ILSAC specification GF-2, including ACE\
A A1, API SJ, SJ/CF and
SJ/Energy Conserving.
Your Volvo has been certified to standards using ILSAC oil specification\
GF-2 5W-30. Volvo
recommends use of oil with a quality rating equal to or higher than ILSA\
C GF-2. Equivalent and better
oils include ACEA A1, API SJ, SJ/CF, and SJ/Energy conserving. Lower qua\
lity oils may not offer the
same fuel economy, engine performance, or engine protection.
Volvo Cars recommends Castrol.
Depending on your driving habits, premium or synthetic oils may provide \
superior fuel economy and
engine protection. Consult your Volvo retailer for recommendations on pr\
emium or synthetic oils.
Oil additives must not be used.
NOTE: Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintena\
nce is carried out. This
oil is only used at customer request, at additional charge. Please consu\
lt your Volvo retailer.
Operation in hot climates.
When temperatures exceed 86° F (30° C) in your area, Volvo recom\
mends, for the protection of your
engine, that you use a heavier weight oil, such as SAE 10W-30. See the v\
iscosity chart below.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2005/2005_XC90/05xc90_09a.htm (7 of 14)12/30/200\
6 4:42:39 PM

2005 VOLVO XC90
Oil viscosity (stable ambient temperatures)
Operation in temperate climates
Incorrect viscosity oil can shorten engine life. Under normal use when t\
emperatures do not exceed 86° F
(30° C), SAE 5W-30 will provide good fuel economy and engine protec\
tion. See the viscosity chart
above.
Extreme engine operation
Synthetic oils meeting SAE 10W-30 and complying with oil quality require\
ments are recommended for
driving in areas of sustained temperature extremes (hot or cold), when\
towing a trailer over long
distances, and for prolonged driving in mountainous areas.
Changing oil and oil filter
Oil and oil filter changes should be made at 7,500 mile (12,000 km) in\
tervals.
Volvo does not recommend the use of oil additives.
Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintena\
nce intervals except at
ower request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retaile\
r.
l The API Service Symbol "donut" is divided into three parts:
l The top half describes the oil's performance level.
l The center identifies the oil's viscosity.
l The bottom half tells whether the oil has demonstrated energy-conserving\
properties in a standard test
in comparison to a reference oil.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2005/2005_XC90/05xc90_09a.htm (8 of 14)12/30/200\
6 4:42:39 PM

2005 VOLVO XC90
Fluid type : Volvo synthetic power steering fluid (Pincushion CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 \
or equivalent.
Replace : No fluid change required
NOTE: If a problem should occur in the power steering system or if the vehicle\
has no electrical current
and must be towed, it is still possible to steer the vehicle. However, k\
eep in mind that greater effort will
be required to turn the steering wheel.
pg. 145 Interior
Wiper blades
Windshield wiper blades
1. Lift the wiper arm off the windshield.
2. Press in the catches (A in the illustration above).
3. Pull out the wiper blade.
4. Insert a new wiper blade and ensure that it is firmly in place.
NOTE: The driver's side wiper blade is longer than the one on the passenger's \
side.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2005/2005_XC90/05xc90_09a.htm (13 of 14)12/30/20\
06 4:42:39 PM

2005 VOLVO XC90
Conserving.
Oil additives must not be used.
Transmission
Oil grade:
JWS 3309
Different types of oil should never be mixed.
Power steering
Grade: Volvo synthetic power steering fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 \
or equivalent.
Brake fluid
Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536°F (280°C), P/N 9437433
Cooling system
Type Positive pressure, closed system.
Coolant Volvo original coolant/antifreeze
Volume 5-cyl. turbo 9.5 US qts. (9.0 liters)
6-cyl. turbo 11.0 US qts (10.5 liters)
The thermostat begins to open at 194°F (90°C).
pg. 169 Specifications
Suspension
Rear suspension
Individual rear wheel suspension with longitudinal support arms, double \
link arms and track rods.
Front suspension
Spring strut suspension with integrated shock absorbers and control arms\
linked to the support frame.
Power-assisted rack and pinion steering. Safety type steering column.
pg. 170 Specifications
Three-way catalytic converter cautions
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2005/2005_XC90/05xc90_10.htm (7 of 10)12/30/2006\
4:42:41 PM